why is it mythology?

Question

i know this has been asked before but i want to know for myself anyway. why is it that gods/goddesses of other faiths(greek, roman, etc) are considered mythological as though they never existed, yet newer religions consider 'god' to be real, and not a myth. is it because it was shunned as being a pagan-based system of belief, or because so many people believe in the concept of one god, that they feel it simply can't be a myth.

look at the polarized answers.

Answer 1

Because its a good way to classify them as false; the same way Christians classify the less popular religions as Pagan. It is a labeling system that allows one group to look down upon another.

Answer 2

One person's religion is another person's mythology.

Generally, if the religion is practiced by a significant number of people it is referred to as a religion. If nobody practices it, then it is usually referred to as mythology. If it is practiced by a small amount of people, it is generally referred to as a cult.

Religions are based on events that happened or are believed to have happened. What prevents the ones that are based on actual proven occurences from being considered fact is that there are "supernatural" (for lack of a better term) parts of the individual stories that can not be proven.

Answer 3

I think that the purpose of mythology is to teach lessons and to help one understand deity/ies, the world around them and their place within that world. I don't really think they were meant to be taken as historical facts like some myths are today.

I can say that I believe in the old Celtic myths but what I mean is that I believe that there probably is some truth to it and the rest is symbolic. I believe in the symbology and the virtues that it teaches. It is simply a way for me to try to relate to my deities. They aren't historical facts and neither are the myths that are popular in today's world.

Answer 4

Mythology is just a name given to things other than what people believe. If you spend enough time on this board you'll see every religion out there accused of being a myth.

Best wishes.

Answer 5

today's religion is tomorrow's mythology. the old ways are looked at as mythology because they were people's way of explaining things in terms they understood. as people stopped believing the myths new religions took their place. in 100 years who knows what will happen

Answer 6

For the same reason that Santa is considered real when you are 5, but by the time you grow up to be 8, you know that Santa is imaginary.

We're just expected to never stop believing in the god myth.

http://www.godisimaginary.com/index.htm

Answer 7

Alot of Mythologies are true.And many of them can be found in the Bible.But,the only people who know that they are true,are Christians who are King James Version Onlyists.Those are the true Christians.God Bless you.

Answer 8

Mythology is religion that is not now practiced. In the future, today's religions will be classified as mythology.

Answer 9

Voltaire once said that 100 years after his passing, the Bible would only be found in Antique stores...a couple of hundreds more have passed since his death...and I see the Bible everywhere!

You are just looking for excuses to avoid being held accountable for your actions.

Answer 10

People have different beliefs,Christians might think your retarded for not believing in him.The only way you'll understand that god is real,is when you die and go to hell.Hell is not a good place,it's a place of torture and punishment.For not believing in him.